Leicester 0-3 Wolves: Matheus Cunha scores as Vitor Pereira wins first game as visitors' head coach

Report and free match highlights from the Premier League match between Leicester and Wolves at the King Power Stadium on Sunday; goals from Goncalo Guedes, Rodrigo Gomes and Matheus Cunha earned comprehensive victory for new head coach Vitor Pereira

Dan Long

Digital football journalist @DanLong__

Monday 23 December 2024 12:35, UK

Vitor Pereira made the dream start to life as Wolves head coach as his new side ended a run of four straight defeats with a 3-0 win against Leicester on Sunday.

Goals from Goncalo Guedes, Rodrigo Gomes and Matheus Cunha across a 25-minute spell in the first half sealed an impressive win for Pereira, who replaced Gary O'Neil on Thursday.

Victory leaves them 18th, two points from safety. Incidentally, it is the Foxes - who have now conceded seven goals in two games - who occupy the spot just above them.

Pereira's Premier League bow almost started in nightmare fashion. Leicester went direct to Jamie Vardy, whose poke towards onrushing Jose Sa was blocked outside of the box. VAR took a look but the goalkeeper's hands were not involved.

Then the dream start got going. Guedes shielded a bouncing ball from Jannik Vestergaard and tucked home from a tight angle, before James Justin inexplicably backed away and left a long ball, allowing Rodrigo Gomes to nip in and roll past the stricken Danny Ward.

Player ratings:

Leicester: Ward (4), Justin (5), Coady (6), Vestergaard (5), Kristiansen (6), Soumare (6), Skipp (5), El Khannouss (5), Mavididi (6), Ayew (5), Vardy (6).

Subs: Faes (6), Winks (6), Choudhury (6), Decordova-Reid (5), Buonanotte (n/a).

Wolves: Sa (6), Semedo (7), Bueno (7), Toti (7), Doherty (7), Andre (7), J Gomes (7), R Gomes (7), Guedes (8), Cunha (8), Strand Larsen (6).

Subs: Subs: Hwang (5), Dawson (n/a), Doyle (n/a), Forbs (n/a), Bellegarde (n/a).

Player of the Match: Matheus Cunha.

The second was greeted by boos from the Leicester fans - who had seen their side thumped 4-0 by Newcastle last time out - and those boos grew more intense when Cunha - charged with misconduct by the FA this week following an incident after the full-time whistle against Ipswich - hit a shot that Ward got fingertips to but could not prevent from hitting the net.

Even more impressive was how clinical the visitors were given they ended the first half with an expected goals (xG) figure of just 0.4.

Leicester had plenty of the ball in the second half and time after time sent long balls forward for Jamie Vardy, with little success. Otherwise, Ruud van Nistelrooy's side lacked drive and quality in the final third.

Wolves were comfortable as a resul, but did have chances to extend their lead, most notably when Joao Gomes met Cunha's wicked cross inside the final 10 minutes, stooping but sending his header wide. By that point, though, the win was wrapped up.

Van Nistelrooy: I can't blame players for mistakes - but it's not something we can allow in our situation

Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy:

"You have to look at how the game went and how the goals were conceded. We all know, and the players know, the goals are mostly coming from individual mistakes.

"It's not big chances - all three are not. How the goals went in - that is not something we can allow in the situation where we are and with the importance of the game

"Every game is important for us, but that was the most disappointing thing. I cannot blame a player that makes an unfortunate mistake.

"Three weeks ago, when we started working together, we had two positive results and four points and we lifted the place up and the fans as well.

"We expected a lot more from the game. It's always disappointing then when the fans go against you and make it personal against some of the players.

"As a team, we have to stay together and understand the frustration of the fans. We do understand and we are working to change that around."

Pereira: It's a privilege to be here and I want to improve this team

Wolves head coach Vitor Pereira:

"The spirit was very good, true spirit. That's what I want for this team. What I asked them was that, at the end of the game, we must feel proud about the work that we did and make our supporters proud. I'm very happy for this.

"I have worked as a coach for a long, long time. I know very well the system, how to play, the space we should cover, the places we can explore and, in three days, I tried to organise them with simple communication - don't do a lot, but improve what we want. I think they tried and we played a good game today.

"Alone, we cannot win. We need the supporters, we need the club, we need everybody. We must be committed and united. I want to improve the team and they will improve in possession because I don't like a team just to play on the counter-attack.

"To be here, I cannot explain it. I started as a coach at 29, I'm now 56. It is a long journey to come here and it's a privilege."

Analysis: Guedes can be key as Wolves bid to climb away from trouble

Sky Sports' Dan Long:

Goncalo Guedes has had to wait for his chance at Wolves.

He was shipped out on loan to boyhood club Benfica at the start of 2023 - halfway through the first season after his £27.5m move from Valencia - then to Villarreal a year later, and when he was finally integrated into the squad this season, he had to make do with late cameos.

However, over the last two months, he has started to show why Wolves paid the money they did for him.

He scored once and provided three assists in Gary O'Neil's final seven Premier League games - but looked invigorated when new Wolves head coach Vitor Pereira put him in from the start against Leicester. He no doubt has a point to prove and a clean slate to work with.

The 28-year-old showed guile to fire in the opener from the tightest of angles after Jannik Vestergaard allowed a ball to bounce in the box, then did so well to twist and turn away from trouble to set up Matheus Cunha for the third.

His goal had an xG value of 0.05, with the assist value just 0.01 xA.

That means he has been directly involved in six goals across his last eight Premier League games after managing just two goal involvements in his first 19 English top-flight appearances.

As Wolves begin a new era, this could be Guedes' time to shine.

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